Poshard to lead campaign to reopen BGCSI

Glenn Poshard will head up a campaign aimed at reopening the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois.

Poshard, a former U.S. congressman and former SIU system president, will chair a campaign aimed at raising an initial $200,000 to restart the club's operations in Carbondale and Marion. The BGCSI suspended its operations last year due to financial issues.

BGCSI, formerly located in the old Carbondale Community High School, has secured new programming space in Carbondale through a partnership with First United Methodist Church.

"I’m grateful for the opportunity to chair this campaign to reopen the doors of the Boys and Girls Clubs. There are families in immediate need of these services in southern Illinois," said Poshard. "Our community's youth deserve a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive, and this campaign is the first step in reestablishing that through the Clubs in Carbondale and Marion."

Donations to the campaign can be made online at BGCSI.org or by mailing a check to Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Illinois, P.O. Box 3092, Carbondale, IL 62902.